Seven electric Mercedes-Benz cars and smart to drive across the Alps

The Silvretta High Alpine Road in Austria's Montafon region is considered to be one of the most beautiful panoramic roads in the Alps.

Starting today till July 5, it will be the setting for the legendary Silvretta Rally that will feature some 150 vintage cars and 30 locally emission-free electric cars.

With a total distance of 366 kilometres, ascents of more than 2,000 metres in altitude and slopes whose gradients in some cases exceed 16 percent, the Silvretta E-Auto Rally presents a challenging terrain for the drivers in the 3-day event.

Mercedes-Benz and smart have taken part in the Silvretta E-Auto Rally from its inception, and are there for the sixth time in succession in 2015 – and once again have the largest fleet in the E-Rally with seven electric and hybrid vehicles: smart Brabus electric drive cabriolet, Mercedes-Benz B-class Electric Drive (two vehicles), Mercedes-AMG SLS Coupé Electric Drive, C350 e, S 500 e, and GLE 500 e 4MATIC.

There is currently a very strong focus on the Mercedes-Benz plug-in hybrid initiative: by 2017 there will be 10 models in the European market – which means a new product launch every four months on average.